The Avengers – Analog Artist Digital World

Terry and I drove to the West Orange 5 Movie Theater (1575 Maguire Road, Ocoee). It was the opening weekend for The Avengers, so we arrived early expecting a line. We were actually the first in line. The theater had a major renovation since the last time we were there. Once we had our tickets, we had to wait outside. Terry read her magazine in line and I sat on a bench to sketch the line as it formed.

A crowd flowed out of the theater. Sung Kim, a former co-worker from my Disney Animation days saw me and said hello. He had just seen The Avengers and he loved it! “It’s about time.” he said. Another former Disney man, Paulo Alverado and his family were waiting in line. Two men started to argue in the parking lot. One guy was pissed off that the other guys young children didn’t keep quiet during the movie. The guy holding his two year old son at his hip shouted back, red faced, “There were people with cell phones and others talking and you have a problem with my kids! Let me get your license plate!” Since he couldn’t defend his child’s behavior, he certainly could avenge it. I’m not sure if they enjoyed the movie. No punches were thrown.

We saw The Avengers in 2D the first time and then returned a second time to see it in 3D. It was amazing both times.

I went to a rehearsal for “Avengers ASSemble.” This will be a burlesque show put on by Skill Focus: Burlesque, themed after the recent blockbuster hit.” The cast, featuring, Ruby Darling , Rosita Sparkles, Cherry Bob-omb,, Syber Digit, Shy LaBuff , Nekkid RoboJoe and Stephen Focking were going to assemble at Theater Downtown (2113 North Orange Avenue.) When I arrived at 9pm, Ashley Small, the Skill Focus stage manager, was the only person in the theater’s lounge. She looked like she was in charge, so I asked her if I was in the right place. The room was a furnace, partly because I had just walked several blocks from Ethos Kitchen. She informed me that the cast had a multilevel stage to work with and that tonight would be an undress rehearsal of sorts.

Cherry Bob-omb went into the theater, and I decided to follow and check out the stage. The theater itself was thankfully cool. I immediately found a seat and started sketching the complex set with it’s multitude of levels. The cast assembled all at once and they quickly got into costumes. Syber Digit was the first out of the dressing room and she had on an awesome Thor outfit, complete with a large hammer. She relaxed on the set and I was exited to sketch my namesake. Ruby came out in her black wig and a stunning red and gold, Iron Man themed outfit. She asked the cast at hand to pose with her and I sketched frantically. I was self conscious about how much time I was taking, so my hands flew.

Stephen Focking had a vintage WWII helmet painted blue with the letter A inscribed on it. He found a large Tupperware lid in the dressing room and he used it as his Captain America shield. Each performer in turn went through their strip tease. Each item of clothing was telegraphed and the gyrations accentuated. This troupe has a wonderful way of taking an age old tradition and making it fun and playful. You will scream, holler and cheer as they shake it down Marvel style! The performance will be at Theater Downtown on Saturday May 12th. Doors open at 10pm and the show starts at 11pm. Tickets are $10 at the door or in advance. There will be an after party in the lobby with the cast.